Animal Farm: Orwell’s structural and stylistic choices
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why Orwell has made specific choices about structure and style.
Key learning points
- Orwell uses a simple and detached style to get his message across.
- Orwell uses and subverts the conventions of a fairy tale.
- Old Major’s speech foreshadows the events of the novel.
- Orwell uses the seasons to show the passing of time and the deterioration of the animals’ living conditions.
- 'Animal Farm' has a cyclical structure to reflect the cycle of oppression and the inevitability of hierarchy.
Keywords
Foreshadowing - When a writer gives subtle hints or clues about future events in the story.
Conventions - The features you would expect to find in a given genre.
Genre - This categorises texts based on conventions and themes.
Subvert - To defy or challenge typical conventions or expectations.
Omniscient - To know or see everything.
Common misconception
That Orwell offers a solution to the problems he highlights.
Focus on the cyclical structure and lack of resolution. How does this reflect Orwell's purpose? Is he just being critical and cynical?
Teacher tip
Creative writing opportunity; students can explore the conventions of fairy tales and create their own versions in the style of Orwell.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Animal Farm', what does the quote "uttered a high-pitched whimper" reveal about Napoleon's character?
Q2.In 'Animal Farm', how does the quote "Never mind the milk, comrades!" reveal Napoleon's methods of control and corruption?
Q3.Which literary device is employed in this quote from 'Animal Farm', "It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples"?
Q4.In 'Animal Farm' which character is sent to the "knackers" in chapter 9?
Q5.In 'Animal Farm', Orwell uses what type of structure?
Q6.Complete the quote from 'Animal Farm': "Let's face it: our lives are miserable, ..."
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is foreshadowing in literature?
Q2.Which word beginning with 'G' describes a way to categorise texts based on shared themes and conventions?
Q3.Which of these is not a convention of a fairy tale?
Q4.In 'Animal Farm', which quote from Old Major’s speech best foreshadows this quote from chapter 7: "They all cowered silently in their places".
Q5.What does the cyclical structure in 'Animal Farm' emphasise?
Q6.Complete the quote from 'Animal Farm': "It was a __________ winter."
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Animal Farm: Orwell’s structural and stylistic choices, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Animal Farm: Orwell’s structural and stylistic choices, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Animal Farm: the pigs and power unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.